In 2025, MTV is finally letting go of what once made it famous — music. The news that MTV will shut down its last five music channels didn’t shock anyone. Let’s be honest: the days of leaving a music channel playing in the background feel like ancient history.
For many people today, music videos live on YouTube, TikTok, and streaming apps. But decades ago, MTV was the place to watch music videos. It shaped pop culture, launched careers, and could make or break an artist’s fame.
MTV’s Big Goodbye
MTV, owned by Paramount, recently announced that it will close all five of its remaining music channels by the end of 2025. That includes MTV Music, MTV 80s, MTV 90s, MTV Live, and Club MTV. These channels will stop airing in the UK and across Europe.
The main MTV channel will stay, but it’s no longer about music. Today, it’s filled with reality shows, celebrity gossip, and lifestyle content. The “M” in MTV, which once stood for music, has almost lost its meaning.
This move isn’t surprising. People don’t wait for a TV show to play their favorite music videos anymore. Now, anyone can open YouTube or Spotify and watch any song they want, anytime. Social media and streaming have replaced what MTV once offered.
When MTV Was the Boss
Back in the 1980s, 1990s, and even early 2000s, MTV was incredibly powerful. Getting your video played on MTV meant instant fame. But if MTV refused to show your video, that could be bad news for your career.
A great example of this happened in 2003 with the Foo Fighters. At the time, they were one of the biggest rock bands in the world. Frontman Dave Grohl teamed up with actor Jack Black for the music video of “Low,” a song from their album One by One.
The video was wild, funny, and totally weird. Grohl and Black dressed in drag, trashed a motel room, and acted out ridiculous, drunken scenes. It was meant to be a comedy, but it went a bit too far for MTV’s standards.
Even after the band edited out the most explicit parts, MTV refused to air it. Grohl later said they had to cut scenes that showed fake drugs, nudity, and even a fake adult film playing in the background. Even the “clean” version was too much for MTV.
Foo Fighters Didn’t Care
Luckily for the Foo Fighters, they didn’t really need MTV anymore. Their fans had already bought the album, and the song “Low” wasn’t supposed to be a big hit. So instead of getting upset, they laughed it off. The video became legendary for being banned.
It also showed something bigger — MTV’s control over what audiences could see. Back then, one network could decide what was acceptable. But today, artists can upload their videos online without needing anyone’s approval.
The End of an Era
MTV shutting down its music channels marks the end of an era. It’s a reminder of how much the music world has changed. Where once you needed MTV’s approval to succeed, now the internet has made everything open and accessible.
Even though MTV will soon stop airing music, its influence will never be forgotten. It gave us iconic moments, unforgettable videos, and a shared experience that shaped generations of music fans.
Now, that torch has been passed to YouTube, TikTok, and streaming platforms. MTV may have lost its “M,” but its legacy will live on forever in the way we watch, share, and love music today.